Samsung mid-rangers could eventually feature curved-edge LCD displays
The Samsung Galaxy S9's curved-edge display
Filed over a year ago and granted last week, the patent describes an LCD technology that essentially replaces the usual glass backing with a plastic solution. This means that the panel can be bent during the manufacturing process without any problems. Additionally, it reduces the fragility of the display, thus making it that bit harder to break.
Presumably, a variant of this technology could be used on cheaper foldable devices in the future. However, for now, it seems Samsung is concentrating on pre-curved panels that can’t be flexed by the user, just like the displays seen on recent Galaxy S and Galaxy Note smartphones.
At the moment, Samsung appears to have no immediate plans to implement curved edge LCD displays on its smartphones. After all, the cheaper Galaxy S10 Lite would be a prime candidate for the panels but is ultimately sticking to a more traditional flat display. However, such a move in the future wouldn't be surprising.
A few months back, the South Korean giant announced plans to begin blurring the line between its mid-range and high-end models by offering flagship features at lower price points. And if the company can successfully implement its curved displays on cheaper models, it’d certainly be a differentiating feature.
Things that are NOT allowed: